India Inaugurates Asia's First CEPI Pre-clinical Facility

Inauguration of CEPI Pre-clinical Network Facility

• Inaugurated on July 16, 2024, by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
• Located at the Regional Centre of Biotechnology, Faridabad
• First such facility in Asia and 9th globally
• Part of the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI)
• Selected by CEPI for its capability to handle BSL3 pathogens
• Houses one of India's largest small animal facilities, capacity for 75,000 mice
• Can accommodate various species including rats, rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs

Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (Ge-HuMic) Facility

• Inaugurated alongside the CEPI facility
• Acts as a repository for microbial cultures
• Serves research institutes, universities, and industries for R&D
• Fosters national and international collaborations
• Repository for genetically characterized specific pathogen-free animals
• Includes cryopreserved embryos and sperm for researchers

THSTI's Role and Achievements

• Part of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)
• Under Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology
• Facilitated signing of over a dozen agreements with private sector
• Focus on vaccine development for Nipah Virus, Influenza, and respiratory diseases
• Played crucial role during COVID-19 pandemic
• Developed Nipah monoclonal antibodies
• Supports translational research for drug and vaccine candidates
• Identifies biomarkers of disease progression/resolution
• Fosters research collaborations across disciplines

Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

• CEPI Founded in 2017 in Davos, Switzerland
• Aims to develop vaccines against future epidemics
• Collaboration of public, private, philanthropic, and civil organizations
• Focuses on vaccines for Ebola, Lassa virus, MERS, Nipah virus, and others
• Developing a library of vaccine candidates for known and unknown pathogens